C S a S S C É S Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat Secrétariat Canadien Pour L’Évaluation Des Stocks
Fisheries and Oceans Pêches et Océans Science Sciences
C S A S S C É S Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat Secrétariat canadien pour l’évaluation des stocks
Research Document 2000/162 Document de recherche 2000/162
Not to be cited without Ne pas citer sans permission of the authors 1 autorisation des auteurs 1
Assessment of Rivers and Smith Inlet Sockeye Salmon, with Commentary on Small Sockeye Salmon Stocks in Statistical Area 8
D. Rutherford and C. Wood
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Stock Assessment Division Science Branch Pacific Biological Station Nanaimo, B.C. V9R 5K6
1 This series documents the scientific basis for 1 La présente série documente les bases the evaluation of fisheries resources in scientifiques des évaluations des ressources Canada. As such, it addresses the issues of halieutiques du Canada. Elle traite des the day in the time frames required and the problèmes courants selon les échéanciers documents it contains are not intended as dictés. Les documents qu’elle contient ne definitive statements on the subjects doivent pas être considérés comme des addressed but rather as progress reports on énoncés définitifs sur les sujets traités, mais ongoing investigations. plutôt comme des rapports d’étape sur les études en cours.
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ISSN 1480-4883 Ottawa, 2000 ABSTRACT
Rivers Inlet (Owikeno Lake) and Smith Inlet (Long Lake) sockeye salmon stocks have shown recent dramatic declines in total abundance. Similar declines in total abundance of sockeye originating from Statistical Area 8 are also documented. All available data indicate that the critically low sockeye returns to both Rivers and Smith Inlet in 1999 and 2000 resulted from very poor marine survival for three consecutive brood years (1994-1996), not a failure in freshwater productivity. Marine survival indices for Owikeno and Long Lake indicate that marine survival has generally been poor for all brood years entering the ocean in 1992-1998. The critically low escapements in 1999 and 2000 are a result of the compounding effect of poor marine survival and low brood year escapements. If marine survival continues to be poor for Rivers and Smith Inlet sockeye, drastic measures may be required to prevent a downward spiral to extirpation. On the other hand, if marine survival returned to normal for sea-entry year 1999, returns to Rivers Inlet will exceed the escapement target in 2001 as a result of the above target escapement in 1997. This is not the case for Smith Inlet where escapements have been well below target since 1995. RÉSUMÉ
L'abondance totale des stocks de saumon rouge de Rivers Inlet (lac Owikeno) et de Smith Inlet (Long Lake) a récemment connu une forte baisse. De telles chutes dans l'abondance totale sont aussi documentées pour le saumon rouge de la zone statistique 8. Toutes les données disponibles révèlent que le taux dangereusement faible de remontées de saumon rouge dans Rivers Inlet ainsi que dans Smith Inlet en 1999 et en 2000 découlait de la survie en mer très faible au cours de trois années consécutives de ponte (de 1994 à 1996), et non d'un échec de la production en eau douce. Les indices du taux de survie en mer pour le lac Owikeno et Long Lake indiquent qu'en général, la survie en mer a été faible pour toutes les années de ponte qui ont atteint l'océan de 1992 à 1998. L'effet cumulé de la faible survie en mer et des faibles échappées des jeunes de l'année est à l'origine de la faiblesse critique des échappées en 1999 et en 2000. Afin d'empêcher la disparition de l'espèce, des mesures draconiennes devront peut-être être appliquées si la survie en mer du saumon rouge de Rivers Inlet et de Smith Inlet reste faible. Par contre, si elle revient à la normale pour l'année d'avalaison 1999, les remontées dans Rivers Inlet dépasseront l'échappée cible en 2001 en raison de l'échappée cible supérieure de 1997, ce qui n'est pas le cas pour Smith Inlet où les échappées ont été largement inférieures à l'objectif depuis 1995.
2 1.0 INTRODUCTION
Sockeye salmon stocks in Rivers and Smith Inlet have declined dramatically in total abundance. The decline in Rivers Inlet has culminated in total closure of the commercial fishery since 1996 and a record low reported escapement of only 3,600 sockeye salmon in 1999. In neighbouring Smith Inlet, the commercial fishery has been closed since 1997 and a record low escapement of 5,900 sockeye salmon was recorded in 1999. The decline and status of the Rivers Inlet sockeye salmon stock was reviewed by the Pacific Stock Assessment Review Committee (PSARC) in 1995 and 1998 (Rutherford et al. 1995, Rutherford et al. 1998). The status of the Smith Inlet sockeye salmon stock was last reviewed by PSARC in 1994 (Rutherford and Wood 1994) prior to the decline in adult returns. In addition, a comprehensive recovery plan (Holtby 2000) was developed for both Rivers and Smith Inlet sockeye salmon because of the recent critically low sockeye salmon escapements. This document has been prepared in response to a request to provide an update on the status of sockeye salmon stocks in Rivers and Smith Inlet and smaller sockeye stocks in statistical Area 8 and to review our current understanding of the reasons for their decline.
Almost all sockeye salmon production from Rivers Inlet (Statistical Area 9) originates from spawning grounds associated with Owikeno Lake, a deep, cold, and typically oligotrophic coastal lake (Ruggles 1965: Narver 1969). Owikeno lake is large by coastal standards (96 km2) and comprises four distinct basins, each separated by shallow narrows (Fig. 1). The two lowermost basins (stations 1-3) account for approximately 90% of the total lake area, and these are deep and highly turbid; the two uppermost basins are much smaller, shallower and less turbid. Many streams flow into Owikeno Lake. The two largest the Machmell and Sheemahant, are very turbid and carry the bulk of the silt in to the main basins of Owikeno Lake. The 5-km long Wannock River drains Owikeno Lake into Rivers Inlet.
Similarly, almost all sockeye salmon production from Smith Inlet (Area 10) originates from spawning areas associated with Long Lake. The lake is clear, cold and typically oligotrophic (Hyatt and Stockner 1985). The lake is long, narrow and has a surface area of 21 km2. Two main streams, Canoe and Smokehouse flow into Long Lake near the top end. The 2-km long Docee River drains Long Lake in to Wyclees lagoon. This lagoon is influenced by tides and drains into Smith Inlet through Quashella Narrows. An adult salmon counting fence is located on the Docee River at the outlet end of Long Lake (Fig. 2).
Long Lake has been subject to nutrient enrichment through the Lake Fertilization Program (Hyatt and Stockner 1985). Long Lake was initially fertilized in 1977 to 1979. Fertilization did not take place in 1980 and 1981 but resumed again for years 1982 to 1997. The lake was not fertilized in 1998, 1999, and 2000. Fertilization application normally occurs between April and September of a calendar year thus making the 1976 sockeye brood the first to be treated.
3 Little is known about the status of the small sockeye salmon stocks in the southern central coast (Statistical Area 8, Fig. 3) other than the estimates of escapement reported in the Salmon Escapement Database System (SEDS; Serbic 1991). The Atnarko system is the largest contributor to sockeye production for Area 8 with reported escapements ranging from a high of 150,000 in 1957 to a low of 13,000 in 1965. Based on escapement information Kimsquit, Koeye, Namu, and Port John Lake support the next largest sockeye stocks in Area 8. Of these Kimsquit is the largest with escapements ranging from a high of 55,000 in 1971 to a low of 1,000 in 1999. Reported annual escapements have not exceeded 14,000 for other lakes in Area 8.
2.0 METHODS
2.1 Spawning Escapements
The glacial turbidity of Owikeno Lake and its major spawning streams preclude reliable estimation of spawning escapements by visual survey methods (Walters et al. 1993, Rutherford et al. 1995). Nevertheless, estimates of spawning escapement to Area 9 are recorded for years 1948-1999. Escapements for years 1948 to 1951 are from Wood et al. (1970). Escapement for years 1952-1999 are available from SEDS summary data files maintained by DFO staff in Prince Rupert on the DFO internal public drive (file: 9esc.xls, Appendix 1b). There is evidence that this escapement data is biased and that the bias has been changing with time. For unknown reasons, the proportion of total escapement attributed to glacial streams has increased over time from approximately 33% to 67% (McKinnell et al. 2001; Rutherford et al. 1998).
To avoid problems of bias and inconsistency in estimating sockeye escapement to the glacially turbid rivers, we use a “clear stream escapement index” (CSI) based only on reported escapements to the clear streams of Owikeno Lake that are easily accessible. This index is the sum of the escapement estimates for the Ashlum, Dallery, Genesee, Inziana and Washwash rivers (Table 1). Commencing in 1996 salmon escapement to the clear streams was estimated using an “area under the curve” (AUC) procedure. Individual stream visit logs are available for clear streams for a limited number of years (1983-1996) and we have constructed estimates of escapement using a standardized AUC procedure. We then compared our estimates with the previously reported SEDS escapement for each of the clear rivers. In 1997 the SEDS escapement for Owikeno Lake (Rivers Inlet) was estimated by regressing the previous estimates of escapement (for the period 1948-1996) on the clear stream escapement index in order to mimic the historical process used to extrapolate from clear streams to the entire system. The resulting equation was y=1.76x +139563. However, in 1998 the clear stream escapement index was very low, and we were unwilling to assume that relatively large numbers of fish spawned in turbid streams when so few were observed in the preferred clear streams. Accordingly the SEDS escapement was estimated by simply assuming that the total escapement was 4.3 times the clear stream index as was reported in 1995. Commencing in 1999, once it was recognized that the historical estimates were seriously flawed because of unknown and inconsistent bias (see McKinnell et al. 2001), we adopted a standard multiplier of 3X the
4 CSI to derive “total” sockeye escapements for Owikeno Lake. This 3 x multiplier was derived empirically from a sockeye salmon mark-recapture study carried out in the single largest turbid tributary of Owikeno Lake, the Sheemahant River (Mattock and Frederiksen 1999). This study indicated that the escapement to the Sheemahant River in 1999 was approximately equivalent to the total clear stream escapement. Although the uncertainty is high, it indicates that the clear stream escapement is < 50% of total escapement. Considering the size of the remaining streams, we reasoned that the clear stream escapement index probably accounts for about one third of the total escapement (see details in McKinnell et al. 2001). For all analysis in this report requiring Area 9 escapement data we have used this more consistent “3x CSI” for a total estimate of escapement instead of the escapement reported in SEDS.
Estimates of spawning escapements to Area 10 are available for years 1950-1999 (Appendix 1a) and preliminary data are available for 2000. Escapements for 1972 to 2000 were counted past a weir and are considered very reliable. Prior to 1963, sockeye escapements to Long Lake were estimated from visual surveys of Smokehouse River and Canoe Creek. In 1963 a count of sockeye entering Long Lake was conducted from a tower on the Docee River as an experimental program to provide timely escapement estimates for in-season management (Wood et al. 1970). After a lapse of four years the tower was once again operational for 1968, 1970, and 1971. Visual enumeration of the two spawning areas were made during the years the tower was not operational. A counting facility (fence) was constructed and operational for the 1972 return year and has operated annually since inception.
From 1972 to 1997 the Docee Fence was normally operational from the end of June through to the second week of August for the enumeration of sockeye salmon. All fish counted through the fence during this period were assumed to be sockeye. Commencing in 1998 operation of the fence was extended to the end of September to allow for the enumeration of coho. Because no trap facilities are built into the fence and the counting tower is approximately 8m above the river it is not possible to visually distinguish between sockeye and coho as they pass over the counting plate. From 1998 to 2000 species composition was determined from dip net catches made on the downstream side of the fence and from identification of moribund fish that occasionally drift back onto the fence panels. This sampling was used to apportion the total daily count past the fence into daily sockeye and coho salmon counts.
Estimates of sockeye salmon spawning escapement to the Atnarko River system are available for years 1950 to 1999 (Appendix 1c). Escapement estimates since the early 1970’s are considered to be a reliable index because enumeration has been carried out using consistent aerial overflight techniques (Lyle Enderud, DFO Fisheries Manager, Bella Coola B.C. pers com). Conversely, estimates of sockeye escapement to Koeye, Namu, Port John, and Kimsquit from the SEDS database and are fraught with all the reliability issues associated with undocumented effort and methodology.
5 2.2 Catch
Commercial catch data for Rivers and Smith Inlet are considered reliable. Sockeye enter the mouths of Rivers and Smith Inlet in late June to early July and peak in abundance about mid-July (Starr et al. 1984). Tagging studies (English et al. 1984, Gazey and English 2000) have suggested that these stocks are not caught in northern fisheries operating outside of Areas 9 and 10. However, results from a central coast tagging study (Anonymous 1982) indicate that 80% of Rivers Inlet sockeye migrate directly into Area 9 and 20% pass through Area 7 and 8 fisheries where some interception has occurred (Starr et al. 1994). Starr et al. (1984) in their stock reconstruction, for the period 1970 to 1980, estimated that these interception fisheries have imposed harvest rates ranging from 1 to 25% (average <10%) on Rivers Inlet sockeye. These interception fisheries were drastically reduced in 1984 with the closing of the Loredo and Milbanke sound areas to commercial salmon harvest. For the purposes of this report we have not attempted to reconstruct Area 9 catch and have used catch estimates as reported in the Regional Catch Database (Holmes and Whitfield 1991).
Data presented in Bachen et al. (1997) suggests that some interception of non- Area 10 sockeye in the outer fishing areas of Area 10 (Statistical Area 10-3, Fig. 2) has occurred, again we have not attempted to reconstruct catch for this Area and have used catch estimates from the Regional Catch Database. Catch data is reported in Table 1 and 2. Commercial catch estimates for years 1998 to 2000 are preliminary and were obtained from hailed sales slip information. Troll catch landed in Areas 9 and 10 has not been included because fish landed are harvested from unknown areas outside of Area 9 and 10.
Up to 1990 First Nation sockeye salmon catch has not been considered or included in the total catch estimates because First Nation catch has been estimated to be less than 1% of the total stock and catch reporting is intermittent. However commencing with the closures of the commercial gillnet fisheries in Rivers and Smith Inlet in 1997 and 1998 respectively a concerted effort was made to obtain and include First Nation catches when estimating total returning stock size. Recent First Nation catches are reported in Tables 1 and 2.
For the purposes of this report total commercial catch reported for Statistical Area 8 was used. Catch data for years 1952 to 1999 was obtained from the region catch database and recent data was extracted from sales slip information collected through the Charter Patrol Program (Table 3). Terminal First Nation fisheries occur within the Bella Coola River but they have not been considered in this report.
2.3 Total Stock
Total stock size for Rivers Inlet has been calculated as 3xCSI escapement + catch. For Smith Inlet and Area 8, total sockeye salmon stock size has been calculated as escapement (as reported in SEDS) + catch. For Rivers Inlet this measure or estimate of total stock size is considered very unreliable because the estimate of escapement to
6 Owikeno Lake is considered very unreliable. Because the ratio of catch to escapement has changed dramatically through regulation of fishing effort, estimates of total stock are very sensitive to the multiplier used to convert clear stream indices into absolute counts. In contrast, total stock size for Smith Inlet since 1972 is considered reliable because both catch and escapement are direct counts. The total stock size for Area 8 sockeye has been calculated as catch + estimated escapement to all sockeye stocks in Area 8. The accuracy of total stock size for Area 8 is unknown. The two main reasons for this uncertainty is firstly, there is some uncertainty in levels of escapement to the many small stocks, and secondly, sockeye caught commercially in lower Area 8 (Fisher Fitz Hugh Sound) may be returning to other streams besides those in Area 8.
2.4 Age Composition and Total Returns by Brood Year
Estimates of total returns from brood year escapements are required to evaluate survival and productivity. Total returns for Area 9 and 10 sockeye were computed by decomposing the total stock size estimates in consecutive years by brood year using the available data on age composition. Age composition data is collected routinely from the escapement assessment programs in Owikeno Lake and Docee River. Data from spawning sites in Owikeno Lake was pooled to estimate the overall age composition of the escapement to Rivers Inlet. Due to low returns in 1999 limited age data was available from spawning sockeye, and this was supplemented with age data obtained from sockeye salmon captured in a fishwheel as they migrated up the Wannock River to Owikeno Lake (Mattock and Frederiksen 1999). For 1972 to 2000 all age samples collected at the Docee Fence have been stratified by date within a given year and then weighted appropriately by run size. Age samples were stratified by week if sufficient age samples were available (n>15); otherwise weekly periods were pooled until n>15. Age data from the commercial fisheries was pooled by statistical area (Table 5).
Age data from fisheries and spawning grounds in Area 8 has been collected only intermittently. Consequently, the time series of data available is too incomplete to warrant analysis in this report.
2.5 Juvenile Abundance
Estimates of juvenile abundance are required to identify whether changes in survival originate in freshwater or at sea. In many years, including all recent brood years (1994-1999) juvenile sockeye salmon abundance in Owikeno Lake was measured directly by night-time surface trawling at stations 1-3 during July and August using standardized methods described by Wood and Schutz (1970). The size and number of juvenile sockeye caught in standardized trawl surveys provides an index of fry recruitment and smolt production. Late summer trawl surveys began in 1960, were discontinued in 1969, and were reinstated in 1995 with the creation of the Stock Assessment Division. The July- August sampling period was selected because the majority of juveniles are vulnerable to the surface trawl gear at this time (Hyatt et al. 1989).
7 We recognize that a juvenile index based on surface trawling would be inconsistent if the vertical distribution of sockeye changed between surveys. To address this concern trawling at depth was carried out in years 1998-2000. Individual surface trawl catches can vary considerably and appear to be lognormally distributed. For this reason, individual catches have been loge-transformed and averaged within stations. For years in which surface trawling was not carried out, juvenile abundance indices have been inferred from either pre-smolt weight (Rutherford et al. 1995) or freshwater scale growth (McKinnell et al. 2001). To evaluate trends in freshwater survival rates, indices of juvenile abundance within Owikeno Lake were converted to absolute pre-smolt abundance as follows:
Pre-smolt abundance=average catch per m2 *lake surface area (m2)
Where average catch = e(juvenile index) /surface area swept (m2)
and surface area swept = net opening (m)*distance travelled (m) net opening = 0.6m2 lake surface area = 96*106 m2
Within Long Lake juvenile abundance is measured using hydro-acoustic and trawl techniques (Hyatt et al. 2000).
Pre-smolt abundance estimates were used to estimate freshwater and marine survival rates for both Owikeno and Long Lake as follows:
Freshwater Survival Rate = juvenile abundance/ potential egg deposition
Where potential egg deposition is estimated as the escapement * 50% females * 3,500 eggs.
Marine Survival Rate = brood year return/ juvenile abundance estimate
The freshwater and marine survival rates for Owikeno Lake must be considered as crude indications of relative survival. Both indices are the ratio of measurements that may be biased or imprecise. Recall for example that the total escapement estimate for Owikeno Lake is estimated rather arbitrarily as 3X the clear stream index. Similarly, juvenile abundance is determined by trawling only in the surface layer Although this provides a reasonably consistent index for monitoring trends in abundance, absolute abundance and hence freshwater survival will be underestimated to the extent that some juveniles are not vulnerable either because they occur deeper in the water column or because they can evade the net.
These measurement problems are reduced for Long Lake where the escapement is counted through a fence, and juvenile abundance is determined hydro-acoustically. However, hydroacoustic estimates often underestimate pre-smolt abundance and the
8 occurrence of limnetic sticklebacks in Long Lake poses special problems (Hyatt et al. 2000). Currently, no programs exist to estimate juvenile abundance in Namu, Koeye, Port John or Kimsquit lakes.
2.6 Outlook
Returns in 2001 for Owikeno and Long lakes were predicted under two different scenarios; (1) a pessimistic scenario where recent poor survival rates (as measured for sea entry years 1996 and 1997) will continue for sea-entry years 1998 to 2001; and (2) a more optimistic scenario that takes into account the observed poor survival for sea-entry year 1997 and possibly 1998 but assumes an average return/spawner rate for sea-entry years 1999-2001. At the time of writing only data required for Long Lake, to measure the survival rate of smolts entering the ocean in 1997, was available, so the survival rate measured in 1996 sea entry year (“like 1996”) was used to project returns to Owikeno Lake in 2001 under the “pessimistic” scenario.
It is important to note that these projections do not convey levels of uncertainty and are not presented as conventional “forecasts” of stock size. Data necessary for forecasting stock size returns to Owikeno and Long Lake in 2001 is still being collected and forecasts will be presented at a later date. The projections are provided here only to guide management decisions as they pertain to the recovery planning in place for Owikeno and Long Lake sockeye (Holtby 2000).
3.0 RESULTS
3.1 TRENDS IN ABUNDANCE
3.1.1 Escapement Trends
The reliability of SEDS escapement data for clear streams was assessed by comparing them with AUC estimates derived systematically from individual stream inspection notes. A strong positive correlation was observed between the reported escapement and the systematically reconstructed estimates of all clear streams except the Amback River (Fig 5). For this reason the Amback River has not been included in computing the CSI. The SEDS data for Owikeno Lake as a whole shows a general increasing trend in escapement from 1960 until 1992. In contrast, the CSI has not shown a corresponding increase although it does indicate increased escapements during phase 1 of the adaptive management plan when fisheries were greatly restricted (Fig 4). A dramatic drop in escapement to Area 9 was observed in 1994 and the decline has continued with the exception of 1997 when the 3xCSI escapement (249,300) exceeded the target level of 200,000 sockeye. Escapement in 1999 set a record low of only 3,600 sockeye. The preliminary CSI in 2000 is approximately 7,000 sockeye. Using the 3X multiplier implies a 3xCSI escapement of 21,000 sockeye. This is larger than the 1999 escapement but still below the provisional LRP of 30,000.
9 Total sockeye escapement to Area 10 (as measured through the Docee Fence) increased from 1972 to 1993, then dropped dramatically in 1994, and the decline has continued (Table 2, Fig. 6). The preliminary estimate of escapement in 2000 is only 1430 sockeye, a record low. Sockeye escapements in 1994-1998 were low but always above the 1979 count of 20,257.
Escapement data suggests that sockeye escapements to Koeye, Namu and Port John lakes have been declining. Conversely Kimsquit sockeye escapement appears to be increasing with the exception of a record low escapement in 1999. Sockeye escapement to the Atnarko River has been variable from 1970 to present, but shows no increasing or decreasing trend (Table 3, Fig. 7).
3.1.2 Catch Trends
Area 9 sockeye catch was variable and without trend from 1948-1969. Some outstandingly high catches were recorded in 1968 and 1973 (2,727,552 and 1,760,156 respectively). Beginning in the early to mid-1970’s the average catch declined significantly, driven by poor catches in 1970, 1974 and 1975 (Fig. 8). An adaptive management plan implemented in 1979 restricted commercial catch from 1979 through to 1988 (Walters et al. 1993). Even after the adaptive management plan was discontinued commercial catch remained poor and the fishery has been closed since 1996. The Owikeno Nation has a food, social and ceremonial sockeye fishery in the Wannock River. Catch estimates are fragmentary but considered only to comprise a negligible amount of the total stock up to 1996. As a result of the drastic decline in total stock First Nation harvest rate has become moderate. Total sockeye catch in 1998 and 1999 was 2,161 and 657 respectively implying harvest rates of 6 and 16% respectively (Fig. 11).
Prior to 1972, Smith Inlet sockeye catch ranged from a low of 63,647 in 1957 to a high of 454,106 in 1968, with a mean annual catch of approximately 250,000 sockeye. Harvest rates for this period are uncertain as these catches predated the installation of the Docee Fence before which escapement estimates are considered unreliable. The commercial sockeye catch from 1972 to 1996 has been variable, but generally without trend up to 1993 (Fig. 9). The 1994 to 1996 catches of 57169, 25946, and 8513 respectively are well below the mean catch of 200,000 for the 1972-1995 period. The Smith Inlet commercial sockeye fishery has been closed since 1997. There was a First Nation harvest of 170 sockeye in 1998 and no harvest in 1999 and 2000.
Area 8 sockeye catch has been variable from 1960 to the mid-1990’s, but has been at record lows from 1996 to present (Fig. 10). The recent decline in catch can only be partially attributed to time, area, and gear restriction recently implemented to reduce possible interception of Rivers and Smith Inlet sockeye. The restrictions were also implemented because of uncertainty in the status of the small sockeye stocks in lower Area 8.
10 3.1.3 Total Stock Trends
Total stock size (catch + escapement) for both Rivers and Smith Inlet sockeye showed a dramatic decline in return year 1994 and this decline has continued. This decline is also evident in total stock size of Area 8 sockeye. The congruence of all these declines suggests that all central coast sockeye stocks have experienced poor marine survival during the 1990’s (Fig. 12).
3.2 Age Composition
Age composition of Owikeno and Long Lake sockeye is variable but normally dominated by age 1.3 sockeye based on calendar year returns. Both Owikeno and Long lake age composition, by brood year, averages 35% age 4 (1.2) and 65% age 5 (1.3) but has been quite variable in recent years (Table 6 and 7). In both lakes, virtually all smolts emigrate as yearlings (age 1.*).
3.3 Juvenile Abundance and Size
Pre-smolt samples collected from 1994 to present indicate that the previously documented density-dependent relationship still holds (Fig. 13). This relationship indicates that food supply is limiting growth in Owikeno Lake, and confirms that the late summer trawl catches are a reliable index of juvenile abundance.
No juvenile data are available for Owikeno Lake for brood years 1992 and 1993. The juvenile abundance index for brood year 1994 was slightly above the historic long term mean of 4.75 suggesting that freshwater production potential had not declined from historic levels (Fig. 14, Table 8). On the other hand the juvenile abundance index measured for brood year 1997 was slightly below the long term mean. However, the 1997 estimate is lower than expected based on mean pre-smolt weight which indicates a higher juvenile index, more consistent with the high parent escapement (Fig. 13). Abundance indices for brood years 1998 and 1999 are well below historical levels, consistent with pre-smolt weights and the record low parent escapements.
Estimates of freshwater survival (egg to pre-smolt) for Owikeno Lake sockeye are highly variable, but those for the 1994 and 1995 brood (which made up the 1999 return year) were above the long term average. Similarly, freshwater survival of the 1994 and 1995 brood measured in Long Lake were also above the long term mean (Fig 15). In contrast, marine survival measurements for the 1994 and 1995 broods for both lakes are at record low levels (Fig. 16). The 1990 brood year from both Owikeno and Long Lake appears to have experienced below average freshwater survival. Note however that actual abundance is likely underestimated using surface trawl techniques. Such would lead us to underestimate freshwater survival and overestimate marine survival.
11 3.4 Outlook
We have no information on the early marine survival of any of the central coast sockeye salmon stocks in sea-entry year 1999, and consequently have no basis for choosing between optimistic or pessimistic scenarios for survival. The projected sockeye returns to Owikeno Lake in 2001 range from a critical low of less than 5,600 (pessimistic scenario) to a high of approximately 240,000 sockeye (optimistic scenario) which is above the previous management target of 200,000. The range in the projected returns of sockeye to Long Lake is much smaller with a critical low of 1,768 (pessimistic) and a high of only 27,000 sockeye (optimistic). Under either scenario the projected return for Long Lake is well short of the management target of 200,000 sockeye. The possible outcomes in stock size for Owikeno and Long Lake sockeye from either continued poor survival or normal survival are summarized in Table 9.
The strong return of age-3 (1.1) coho as measured through the Docee Fence in 2000 (Appendix 3) combined with anecdotal reports of a strong return of age-2 (0.1) pink salmon to Owikeno Lake in 2000 suggests that survival of juveniles entering the sea in 1999 may have been above average. We are unsure how much weight to put on the coho and pink returns as an indicator for sockeye in sea-entry year 1999. However, these observations are consistent with oceanographic data in suggesting that marine conditions for central coast salmon entering the sea have now returned to normal.
4.0 DISCUSSION
Our assessment of factors affecting the status of Area 9 sockeye has not changed since the last PSARC review (Rutherford et al. 1998). Assessment of Area 9 sockeye production is still limited by the unknown precision and reliability of the adult escapement estimates. A pilot fishwheel program operated on the Wannock River in 1999 and 2000 to attempt to address the escapement reliability issue. This pilot was funded by Fisheries Renewal B.C. and the operation co-ordinated by a local partnership group. The objective of this program was to develop an alternative method for estimating escapement to Owikeno Lake. Preliminary results from the 1999 fishwheel program were encouraging although no escapement estimate was generated, preliminary results from 2000 are less encouraging. Continuation of this program is dependent on non-DFO sources. The reinstatement of the juvenile trawl program has addressed some of the uncertainties of using escapement data and total stock to monitor long term trends in sockeye production for Owikeno Lake. The juvenile abundance data for brood year 1994 was above the long-term mean suggesting that freshwater production potential has not declined from historic levels. However, the declining escapements have now resulted in reduced fry recruitment in recent years.
Our assessment of Long Lake sockeye salmon is more definitive than that for Owikeno Lake sockeye given the reliability of Long Lake sockeye catch, escapement and total stock data. For Long Lake, where our assessment data is more reliable we have also seen the sockeye stock decline to a record low level. There are two weaknesses in the Area 10 data: first, uncertainty exists about whether other sockeye stocks are intercepted
12 in the Area 10 commercial fishery. Area 10 sockeye stocks are not thought to be intercepted in other fisheries but there was some indication from a 1996 sampling program that the fishery near the outer boundary of Area 10 (sub area 10-3) intercepts some non-Smith Inlet sockeye (Bachen et al. 1997). Second, precision and accuracy of juvenile sockeye abundance estimated by hydro-acoustic techniques is unknown, but currently being addressed in a companion paper. Nevertheless, the error attributed to these weaknesses is considered a small component of the overall variation in recruitment.
It should be noted that the Docee Fence was originally built as a temporary counting structure with an expected operational life span of 10 years (W. Peterson HEB Engineering, pers. com.). It has been operating for 19 years and has now deteriorated to the point that it may no longer be “fish proof”. This compromises the Department’s ability to continue to provide reliable estimates of escapement to Long Lake. A major upgrade is required to ensure continued reliable total counts of salmon to Long Lake. The incorporation of a fish trap would improve species identification. The addition of a smolt counting facility would improve our ability to estimate smolt abundance at time of migration improving the partioning of freshwater and marine survival and growth.
Other than the apparent downward trend in escapement to Koeye, Namu, Port John, and the recent low escapement to Kimsquit Lake little is known about the status of these stocks. Even so, the available evidence of low escapements and low catches indicates a decline in total abundance of Area 8 sockeye in recent years, congruent with that of Owikeno and Long lake sockeye. This suggests that Area 8 sockeye are experiencing below average survival as well. The relatively stable escapements to the Atnarko River over the last five years testifies to sound management actions that have reduced catch appropriately in the face of declining adult returns.
All available data indicate that critically low sockeye returns to both Rivers and Smith Inlet in 1999 and 2000 resulted from very poor marine survival for three consecutive brood years, not a failure in freshwater production. Sockeye smolts going to sea in 1996, 1997 and 1998 (brood year 1994 to 1996) appear to have experienced very adverse ocean conditions. In addition, marine survival indices for Owikeno and Long Lake indicate that marine survival has generally been poor for all brood years entering the ocean since 1991. The critically low 2000 escapements are a result of the compounding effect of poor marine survival on two consecutive generations. It appears the brood years 1990 and 1991 (at least for Long Lake) provided normal pre-smolt production (Table 8b), but these smolts experienced poor marine survival in 1992 and 1993, so that escapements were low in 1994 through 1996. Reduced escapement in 1994 and 1995 led to reduced smolt production in 1996 and 1997, and these smolts experienced even worse marine survival conditions, resulting in the extremely low adult returns in 1999 and 2000. It now seems possible that marine survival may have improved for sockeye in sea-entry year 1999, in which case strong returns to Owikeno Lake in 2001 and 2002 may be realized as a result of the relatively large escapement recorded in 1997. This is not the case for Long Lake where escapements have been relatively low since 1995.
13 Suggested courses of action for both fisheries management and recovery planning are proposed for each of the possible stock size outcomes illustrated in Table 10. Projected stock sizes range from levels exceeding previous targets to levels so low as to warrant an intensive recovery involving captive broodstock. Unfortunately for decision makers we cannot refine these predictions until the abundance of age-4 returns surviving sea entry year 1999 is measured in 2001. A program to gauge age-4 returns in 2001 will be an essential component of the in-season assessment for central coast sockeye in 2001.
If marine survival returned to normal in 1999, Owikeno Lake sockeye returns are expected to exceed the LRP and the target escapement, suggesting a possible harvestable surplus. Because of the recent trend of poor sockeye escapements to Owikeno Lake combined with the fact that escapement to Owikeno Lake cannot be measured or estimated until most fish have reached the spawning grounds, we suggest that the risk associated with opening a commercial fishery in 2001 is too high. If early indications of survival were wrong, and a fishery was prosecuted, an important opportunity for stock recovery would have been squandered. Even if the optimistic projection of 318,000 sockeye were realized, there is no indication that any harm will result from overspawning. Historically, escapements exceeding 500,000 sockeye have produced resulting good returns. Even with one good return year, the rate of recovery will be slow given the critically low escapements in 1999 and 2000. Because most of Rivers Inlet sockeye mature at age 5, commercial harvest should not be contemplated until recovery is assured by consistently exceeding the provisional LRP (30,000) for 5 consecutive years. In contrast, even if marine survival has returned to normal, Long Lake sockeye returns are expected to remain below the target escapement because brood year escapements were poor, although above the provisional LRP. Decisions on whether or not enhancement is advisable at this escapement level will need to be made by the Technical Coordinating Committee “TCC” for the recovery plan.
If survival for sea entry year 1999 was again poor (comparable to sea entry years 1996 and 1997) such that the stocks cannot sustain themselves naturally, drastic measures will be needed to prevent a downward spiral to extirpation. With continued poor survival, returns in 2001 are projected to be well below the LRP levels for both stocks. Continued “supplementation” as defined in the draft Recovery Plan will probably not be sufficient to ensure the continued viability of these stocks while marine survival remains at levels observed in 1996-1998. A captive brood program may be the only way to ensure the viability of these stocks if marine survival remains poor in 1999 despite a return to normal temperatures. (i.e. if adverse marine conditions remain poor and unpredictable).
14 5.0 REFERENCES
Bachen, S.K., D.T. Rutherford, and R.D. Goruk. 1997. Data record of adult sockeye salmon counts and biological data collected at the Docee River Fence and from the Area 10 commercial fishery, 1993-1996. Can. Data Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1025: 47 p.
Gazey, W.J. and K.K. English. 2000. Assessment of sockeye and pink salmon stocks in the northern boundary area using run reconstruction tequeniques, 1982-95. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2320: 132p.
English, K.K., W.J. Gazey, and J.A. Taylor. 1984. The northcoast tagging study. Unpublished report by LGL Sydney, B.C. Canada
Holmes, M.A., and D.W.A. Whitfield. 1991. User’s manual for the commercial salmon catch spreadsheet program. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1807: 44p.
Holtby, B. 2000. Recommendations for a recovery plan for Rivers Inlet and Smith Inlet sockeye salmon. Unpublished Report, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Pacific Biological Station , Nanaimo, B.C.
Hyatt, K.D., and J.G. Stockner. 1985. Responses of sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) to fertilization of British Columbia coastal lakes. Can. J. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 42:320-331.
Hyatt, K.D., D.P. Rankin, and E. Rome. 1989. Acoustic census of limnetic fish in a glacially turbid lake. Proc. Inst. Acoust. vol 11.
Hyatt, K.D., D.P. Rankin, and B. Hanslit. 2000. Acoustic and trawl based estimates of juvenile sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) production from 1976-1999 brood year adults returning to Smith Inlet and Long Lake, British Columbia. PSARC Working Paper S00-21
Mattock. B., and P. Frederiksen. 1999. Sheemahant River adult sockeye and coho salmon enumeration project. Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd. Richmond, B.C. Unpublished report
McKinnell, S.M., C.C. Wood, D.T. Rutherford, K.D. Hyatt and D.W. Welch. 2001. The demise of Owikeno Lake sockeye salmon. N. Am. J. Fish. Man.
Narver, D.W. 1969. Productivity of Owikeno Lake British Columbia. J. Fish. Res. Bd. Canada 26:1363-1368.
Ruggles, C.P. 1965. Juvenile sockeye studies in Owikeno Lake, British Columbia. Can. Fish. Cult. 36:3-21.
15 Rutherford, D.T. and C.C. Wood. 1995. Stock status and 1996 forecast of Smith Inlet sockeye salmon. Working Paper, Pacific Stock Assessment Review Committee S95-08.
Rutherford, D.T., S. McKinnell, C.C. Wood, K.D. Hyatt, and R.D. Goruk. 1995 Assessment of the status of Rivers Inlet Sockeye Salmon. Working Paper, Pacific Stock Assessment Review Committee. S95-5.
Rutherford, D.T., C.C. Wood, and S. McKinnell. 1998. Rivers Inlet Sockeye Salmon: Stock Status Update. Canadian Stock Assessment Secretariat Research Document 98/91
Serbic, G. 1991. The salmon escapement database reporting system. Can. Tech. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1791: 123p.
Starr, P.J., A.T. Charles, and M.A. Henderson. 1984. Reconstruction of British Columbia sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) stocks: 1970-1982. Can. Man. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 1780: 123 p.
Walters, C.J., R.D. Goruk, and D. Radford. 1993. Rivers Inlet sockeye salmon: An experiment in adaptive management. N. Am. J. Fish. Man. 13:352-262.
Wood, F.E.A. and D.C. Schutz. 1970. Tow-net catches of juvenile sockeye salmon in Owikeno Lake 1960-1968. Man Rep. 1970-2, 124p.
Wood, F.E., D.C. Schutz, and J.D.C. Holland. 1970. Physical and biological data to 1968 from the Rivers Inlet sockeye spawning areas. Dept. Fish. and Forestry. Man. Rep. 1970-1.
16 Table 1. Commercial catch, escapement, total stock size, and clear stream escapement index for Area 9 sockeye salmon, 1948-2000.
"Total" Total Clear Stream Year Catch Escapement Stock Index 1948 451727 135000 586727 45000 1949 603120 250500 853620 83500 1950 1549338 666000 2215338 222000 1951 1016495 493500 1509995 164500 1952 938722 915000 1853722 305000 1953 1522285 840000 2362285 280000 1954 575664 275400 851064 91800 1955 584245 346500 930745 115500 1956 1072332 348000 1420332 116000 1957 373976 278700 652676 92900 1958 1017545 408000 1425545 136000 1959 439419 591000 1030419 197000 1960 516503 137700 654203 45900 1961 842953 193500 1036453 64500 1962 1035917 528000 1563917 176000 1963 437459 1500000 1937459 500000 1964 1053591 805500 1859091 268500 1965 644974 135225 780199 45075 1966 528212 222000 750212 74000 1967 1102838 437250 1540088 145750 1968 2727552 855000 3582552 285000 1969 727330 84750 812080 28250 1970 19019 84750 103769 28250 1971 402538 269400 671938 89800 1972 379006 186000 565006 62000 1973 1760156 1372500 3132656 457500 1974 118574 484500 603074 161500 1975 40631 409500 450131 136500 1976 613067 190500 803567 63500 1977 659819 187800 847619 62600 1978 577908 420000 997908 140000 1979 28328 196500 224828 65500 1980 528 211500 212028 70500 1981 98706 444000 542706 148000 1982 39180 699000 738180 233000 1983 35161 481500 516661 160500 1984 53879 299100 352979 99700 1985 184543 652275 836818 217425 1986 337443 555000 892443 185000 1987 398854 459600 858454 153200 1988 372018 256500 628518 85500 1989 63746 127800 191546 42600 1990 234281 277500 511781 92500 1991 168226 237000 405226 79000 1992 508068 271500 779568 90500 1993 82529 201000 283529 67000 1994 40320 78000 118139 26000 1995 45426 109500 154926 36500 1996 2697a 45600 48312 15205 1997 1984a 249300 251284 82767 1998 2161a 35900 38041 11960 1999 657a 3600 4257 1190 2000 21000b 7000b a First Nation catch b Very preliminary estimate
17 Table 2. Catch, escapement, and total stock size for Area 10 sockeye salmon, 1948-2000.
Total Year Catch Escapement Stock
1951 439095 82500 521595 1952 342243 67500 409743 1953 367070 70000 437070 1954 190760 85000 275760 1955 325478 110000 435478 1956 442256 90000 532256 1957 63647 22575 86222 1958 223702 22575 246277 1959 113329 50000 163329 1960 219341 18525 237866 1961 213277 22525 235802 1962 252058 110075 362133 1963 174996 68686 243682 1964 236432 50200 286632 1965 289821 11000 300821 1966 172091 50000 222091 1967 286000 50000 336000 1968 454106 197930 652036 1969 166998 110200 277198 1970 82677 70065 152742 1971 142955 135068 278023 1972 59397 76248 135645 1973 294619 169753 464372 1974 347705 91013 438718 1975 52673 62967 115640 1976 92201 60919 153120 1977 54855 128601 183456 1978 233381 84105 317486 1979 11022 20257 31279 1980 2349 129435 131784 1981 154355 214345 368700 1982 292958 213674 506632 1983 131212 199653 330865 1984 21160 89012 110172 1985 369178 250000 619178 1986 369854 199000 568854 1987 194926 200000 394926 1988 301731 207000 508731 1989 71821 166810 238631 1990 58579 149000 207579 1991 574550 260000 834550 1992 722816 220000 942816 1993 284156 220000 504156 1994 57830 100000 157830 1995 15944 56244 72188 1996 7918 54000 61918 1997 0 32000 32000 1998 170a 76000 76170 1999 0 5900 5900 2000 0 1430 1430 a First Nation catch
18 Table 3. Catch, escapement, and total stock size for Area 8 sockeye salmon.
Commercial Total Year Catch Atnarko Kimsquit Koeye Namu Port John Stock 1950 . 75000 7500 3500 3500 717 . 1951 . 75000 7000 1200 2500 1300 . 1952 . 90000 10300 1500 2000 1087 . 1953 . 65000 7500 2000 1500 1500 . 1954 . 53000 12000 1500 4500 750 . 1955 . 75000 5000 2000 1000 2566 . 1956 . 75000 7500 3500 3500 1332 . 1957 . 150000 7500 7500 750 1353 . 1958 . 15000 . 750 1500 1248 . 1959 . 75000 3500 3500 7500 1000 . 1960 86947 35000 7500 1500 3500 268 135465 1961 126525 35000 . 750 3500 126 166301 1962 163881 75000 3500 . 1500 . 245381 1963 151808 55000 . . 1500 . 208308 1964 306359 31000 . 750 750 750 339909 1965 77756 13000 . 750 1500 . 93006 1966 82892 16000 . 750 1500 25 101167 1967 234087 36000 15000 1500 1500 650 289887 1968 95298 8000 3500 750 750 . 109048 1969 43686 40000 3500 750 1500 . 89436 1970 99837 25000 3500 1500 . . 129837 1971 167053 100000 55000 3500 8000 . 336253 1972 85620 32500 13500 3500 . . 135545 1973 221619 85000 3500 3000 . 750 314944 1974 125049 55000 5000 2500 . 300 188274 1975 225969 45000 35000 3500 . 400 310619 1976 202152 30000 25000 9000 600 250 268777 1977 88337 30000 10000 3500 . 750 134182 1978 50865 20000 12000 300 350 300 83915 1979 220134 18000 8000 14000 3500 400 264709 1980 161439 24000 7500 2500 . 1000 196739 1981 179113 40000 5000 5000 1500 75 231694 1982 36409 20000 12000 2000 2000 500 73964 1983 132482 25000 30000 . 1500 300 190457 1984 43470 45000 10000 2300 4000 750 107805 1985 148800 50000 15000 1700 1800 250 219670 1986 132206 19975 16000 2900 1450 285 172954 1987 213903 30780 22000 2500 160 10 269473 1988 166607 30000 10000 2500 1700 300 211262 1989 33511 15000 12200 1200 750 60 62849 1990 122937 20000 7400 . 20 20 151392 1991 106078 52500 27000 525 450 150 186947 1992 109475 41000 13000 600 500 10 164956 1993 61767 15000 13000 250 1000 155 91469 1994 222804 25000 . 1000 400 . 249245 19956949455000....124510 1996 24988 45350 20000 300 550 . 91873 1997 31576 20000 5000 . . . 56878 19982192430000....52090 1999 5229 25000 1000 1200 2000 . 34529 2000
19 Table 4. Age composition of Area 9 sockeye salmon sampled from the commercial catch and escapement, 1948-1999.
Proportion of catch Proportion of escapement Year Age 1.2 Age 1.3 Other Age 1.2 Age 1.3 Other 1948 0.55 0.45 0.00 1949 0.84 0.15 0.01 1950 0.13 0.87 0.00 1951 0.38 0.61 0.01 1952 0.41 0.59 0.00 1953 0.73 0.27 0.00 1954 0.60 0.40 0.00 1955 0.45 0.55 0.00 1956 0.10 0.90 0.00 1957 0.65 0.35 0.00 1958 0.28 0.71 0.01 1959 0.19 0.79 0.02 1960 0.38 0.57 0.05 0.43 0.57 0.00 1961 0.49 0.49 0.02 0.31 0.69 0.00 1962 0.90 0.09 0.01 0.53 0.47 0.00 1963 0.37 0.60 0.03 0.47 0.52 0.01 1964 0.13 0.79 0.08 0.12 0.86 0.02 1965 0.69 0.27 0.04 0.36 0.64 0.00 1966 0.34 0.65 0.01 0.42 0.58 0.00 1967 0.78 0.20 0.02 0.40 0.60 0.00 1968 0.07 0.90 0.03 1969 0.35 0.61 0.04 1970 0.40 0.49 0.11 0.40 0.50 0.10 1971 0.75 0.23 0.02 0.76 0.22 0.02 1972 0.48 0.45 0.07 0.81 0.14 0.05 1973 0.06 0.94 0.00 0.06 0.94 0.00 1974 0.19 0.78 0.03 0.19 0.78 0.03 1975 0.47 0.52 0.01 0.47 0.52 0.01 1976 0.47 0.51 0.02 1977 0.44 0.54 0.02 1978 0.04 0.94 0.02 0.03 0.95 0.02 1979 0.57 0.41 0.02 0.57 0.41 0.02 1980 0.17 0.83 0.00 0.17 0.83 0.00 1981 0.34 0.65 0.01 0.34 0.65 0.01 1982 0.12 0.85 0.03 1983 0.19 0.80 0.01 0.19 0.80 0.01 1984 0.74 0.26 0.00 0.62 0.38 0.00 1985 0.38 0.62 0.00 0.21 0.79 0.00 1986 0.34 0.66 0.00 0.17 0.83 0.00 1987 0.42 0.58 0.00 0.09 0.87 0.04 1988 0.18 0.82 0.00 0.04 0.96 0.00 1989 0.39 0.61 0.00 0.56 0.44 0.00 1990 0.11 0.86 0.03 0.12 0.88 0.00 1991 0.26 0.71 0.03 0.39 0.61 0.00 1992 0.09 0.90 0.01 0.17 0.76 0.07 1993 0.34 0.63 0.03 0.18 0.82 0.00 1994 0.34 0.63 0.03 0.14 0.84 0.02 1995 0.35 0.65 0.00 0.06 0.94 0.00 1996 0.38 0.59 0.03 1997 0.14 0.84 0.02 1998 0.04 0.96 0.00 1999 0.48 0.52 0.00 2000
20 Table 5. Age composition of Area 10 sockeye salmon sampled from the commercial catch and escapement, 1972-2000.
Proportion of catch Proportion of escapement Year N Age 1.2 Age 1.3 Other N Age 1.2 Age 1.3 Other
1972 517 0.71 0.28 0.01 81 0.64 0.28 0.08 1973 831 0.15 0.83 0.02 460 0.15 0.84 0.01 1974 425 0.09 0.83 0.08 65 0.11 0.86 0.03 1975 245 0.23 0.76 0.01 65 0.35 0.60 0.05 1976 57 0.74 0.25 0.01 1977 164 0.71 0.28 0.01 29 0.31 0.69 0.00 1978 468 0.03 0.97 0.00 0.04 0.95 0.01 1979 1980 56 0.20 0.77 0.03 1981 18 0.56 0.44 0.00 175 0.66 0.31 0.03 1982 290 0.15 0.85 0.00 89 0.07 0.93 0.00 1983 1984 93 0.53 0.47 0.00 0.63 0.37 0.00 1985 0.79 0.20 0.01 1986 111 0.32 0.69 0.00 1987 19 0.32 0.68 0.00 84 0.16 0.82 0.02 1988 578 0.28 0.72 0.00 284 0.42 0.57 0.01 1989 223 0.28 0.72 0.00 109 0.59 0.41 0.00 1990 223 0.17 0.83 0.00 51 0.57 0.43 0.00 1991 272 0.40 0.60 0.00 379 0.42 0.57 0.01 1992 193 0.04 0.96 0.00 214 0.33 0.62 0.05 1993 526 0.22 0.76 0.02 173 0.36 0.61 0.03 1994 68 0.20 0.79 0.01 243 0.30 0.68 0.02 1995 161 0.28 0.70 0.02 74 0.11 0.88 0.01 1996 195 0.48 0.51 0.01 107 0.49 0.51 0.00 1997 0 . . . 119 0.20 0.79 0.01 1998 0 . . . 279 0.03 0.96 0.01 1999 0 . . . 80 0.25 0.68 0.07 2000 0 . . . 79 0.47 0.46 0.07
21 Table 6. Area 9 sockeye escapement, total returns, and age composition by brood year.
Brood Total Proportion returning at Year Escapement Adult Returns Age 4 Age 5 1948 135000 1397843 0.54 0.46 1949 250500 2064894 0.84 0.16 1950 666000 1031856 0.49 0.51 1951 493500 1697134 0.25 0.75 1952 915000 370470 0.38 0.62 1953 840000 1436376 0.30 0.70 1954 275400 1213184 0.33 0.67 1955 346500 568675 0.34 0.66 1956 348000 802044 0.32 0.68 1957 278700 814425 0.58 0.42 1958 408000 2254641 0.54 0.46 1959 591000 2391927 0.36 0.64 1960 137700 494314 0.47 0.53 1961 193500 965811 0.51 0.49 1962 528000 755750 0.36 0.64 1963 1500000 4259410 0.24 0.76 1964 805500 746147 0.34 0.66 1965 135225 335922 0.85 0.15 1966 222000 193359 0.21 0.79 1967 437250 703240 0.72 0.28 1968 855000 3277280 0.10 0.90 1969 84750 658357 0.29 0.71 1970 84750 348652 0.33 0.67 1971 269400 621381 0.34 0.66 1972 186000 835391 0.45 0.55 1973 1372500 1315186 0.28 0.72 1974 484500 127896 0.28 0.72 1975 409500 304135 0.42 0.58 1976 190500 388804 0.09 0.91 1977 187800 811973 0.23 0.77 1978 420000 501910 0.18 0.82 1979 196500 225832 0.43 0.57 1980 211500 855026 0.26 0.74 1981 444000 890466 0.23 0.77 1982 699000 840268 0.25 0.75 1983 481500 760177 0.27 0.73 1984 299100 172340 0.45 0.55 1985 652275 542111 0.18 0.82 1986 555000 323081 0.18 0.82 1987 459600 799770 0.17 0.83 1988 256500 308694 0.30 0.70 1989 127800 155047 0.41 0.59 1990 277500 157024 0.16 0.84 1991 237000 50973 0.44 0.56 1992 271500 229437 0.08 0.92 1993 201000 71699 0.49 0.51 1994 78000 3735 0.41 0.59 1995 109500
22 Table 7. Area 10 sockeye escapement, total returns, and age composition by brood year.
Brood Proportion returning at Year Escapement Adult Returns Age 4 Age 5 1972 76248 216944 0.52 0.48 1973 169753 385093 0.20 0.80 1974 91013 1975 62967 1976 60919 160058 0.16 0.84 1977 128601 676922 0.34 0.66 1978 84105 1979 20257 1980 129435 191128 0.35 0.65 1981 214345 878816 0.56 0.44 1982 213674 475939 0.38 0.62 1983 199653 429441 0.22 0.78 1984 89012 292649 0.59 0.41 1985 250000 230867 0.51 0.49 1986 199000 587669 0.16 0.84 1987 200000 1170283 0.29 0.71 1988 207000 452771 0.23 0.77 1989 166810 256180 0.56 0.44 1990 149000 101709 0.40 0.60 1991 260000 42333 0.25 0.75 1992 220000 55325 0.54 0.46 1993 220000 79663 0.08 0.92 1994 100000 6221 0.36 0.64 1995 56244 2133 0.69 0.31 1996 54000 1997 32000 1998 76000 1999 5900 2000 1430
23 Table 8a. Area 9 sockeye escapement, juvenile abundance index, and pre-smolt weight by brood year.
Brood Total Juvenile Abundance Pre-smolt weight (g) Year Escapement Index Sourcea (SE) Mean (SD) 1948 135000 1949 250500 1950 666000 1951 493500 4.99 C 1952 915000 4.60 C 1953 840000 5.04 C 1954 275400 3.37 C 1955 346500 3.33 C 1956 348000 3.52 C 1957 278700 2.34 C 1958 408000 4.90 B 1.28 0.66 1959 591000 5.27 A 1.03 1.18 0.44 1960 137700 4.63 A 1.12 1.44 0.36 1961 193500 4.55 A 0.92 1.39 0.40 1962 528000 3.92 A 1.13 1.46 0.44 1963 1500000 5.85 A 0.72 0.85 0.33 1964 805500 6.14 A 0.74 1.11 0.46 1965 135225 3.28 A 1.13 1.82 0.51 1966 222000 5.45 A 1.00 1.03 0.41 1967 437250 3.12 A 0.98 1.61 1968 855000 6.14 B 0.87 1969 84750 5.60 B 1.05 1970 84750 5.57 B 1.06 1971 269400 4.45 B 1.43 1972 186000 5.21 B 1.18 1973 1372500 5.96 B 0.93 1974 484500 5.66 B 1.03 1975 409500 4.87 B 1.29 1976 190500 1977 187800 1978 420000 1979 196500 1980 211500 1981 444000 5.56 C 1982 699000 6.32 C 1983 481500 1984 299100 5.54 C 1985 652275 6.90 C 1986 555000 1987 459600 6.57 C 1988 256500 4.03 B 1.57 1989 127800 1.97 B 2.25 1990 277500 4.56 C 1991 237000 4.84 B 1.30 1992 271500 1993 201000 1994 78000 4.94 A 0.41 1.41 1995 109500 3.93 A 0.98 1.73 0.410 1996 45600 2.08 A 1.20 2.74 0.627 1997 249300 4.16 A 1.30 1.21 0.363 1998 35900 1.57 A 1.25 2.83b 1999 3600 1.04 A 1.50 a Source; A= index measured directly, B= index inferred from pre-smolt weight, C= index inferred from scale growth (McKinnell et al. 2001) b preliminary fresh weight
24 Table 8b. Area10 sockeye escapement and estimates of juvenile sockeye abundance. (Juvenile data from Hyatt et al. 2000)
Brood Sockeye No. of Year Escapement juveniles 1972 76248 1973 169753 1974 91013 1975 62967 1976 60919 3190000 1977 128601 3060000 1978 84105 1490000 1979 20257 380000 1980 129435 1890000 1981 214345 3250000 1982 213674 6070000 1983 199653 2380000 1984 89012 2220000 1985 250000 2120000 1986 199000 3180000 1987 200000 2730000 1988 207000 3070000 1989 166810 650000 1990 149000 3560000 1991 260000 4750000 1992 220000 1570000 1993 220000 2040000 1994 100000 3140000 1995 56244 1230000 1996 54000 1960000 1997 32000 3680000 1998 76000 6320000 1999 5900 2300000 2000 1430
25 Table 9. Projected returns to Owikeno and Long Lake based on pessimistic and optimistic survival rates.
OWIKENO LAKE Brood Sockeye Returns in Calendar Year Scenario a Year Escapement b 2001 2002 2003 2004 Pessimistic 1996 45600 1398 1997 249300 4197 7642 1998 35900 604 1100 1999 3600 60 109 2000 20000 337 Combined 5,595 8,246 1,160 109 Optimistic 1996 45600 1398 1997 249300 238720 434695 1998 35900 34357 62563 1999 3600 3390 6173 2000 20000 19151 Combined 240,118 469,052 65,953 25,324
LONG LAKE Brood Sockeye Returns in Calendar Year Scenario a Year Escapement b 2001 2002 2003 2004 Pessimistic 1996 54000 1349 1997 32000 419 778 1998 76000 995 1847 1999 5900 72 133 2000 1430 18 Combined 1,768 1,773 1,919 151 Optimistic 1996 54000 1349 1997 32000 25648 47632 1998 76000 60914 113126 1999 5900 4729 8782 2000 1430 1074 Combined 26,997 108,546 117,855 9,856 a Pessimistic scenario assumes continued poor survival (as measured for sea-entry year 1996) Optimistic scenario assumes a return to the long term average survival rate b Escapement target is 200,000 sockeye Bold type indicates projected stock sizes that fall below the provisional Limit Reference Points (LRP's) Provisional LRP's are 30,000 and 8,000 for Owikeno and Long Lake sockeye respectively (Holtby 2000)
26 Table 10. Possible stock size outcomes in relation to LRP and Target escapements with suggested courses of action. Returns Optimistica Pessimisticb Owikeno >>LRP < 27 Figure 1. Map showing location of Owikeno Lake, its principal tributaries, and the juvenile survey stations. 28 Figure 2. Map of Smith Inlet showing location of Long Lake and the Docee Fence. 29 Figure 3. Map of Statistical Area 8 showing location of Atnarko River, Kimsquit, Koeye, Namu, and Port John lakes. 30 Clear Stream Index 1000000 100000 10000 Escapement (# of sockeye) A 1000 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Year SEDS Escapement 1000000 100000 10000 Escapement (# of sockeye) A 1000 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Year Figure 4. Comparison of trends in Owikeno Lake (Area 9) SEDS and clear stream sockeye escapement indices. Lowess line fitted to data. Horizontal lines indicate target escapement and “A” indicates phase one of adaptive mangement plan (Walters et al. 1993). 31 70000 60000 92 AMBACK 50000 89 83 86 40000 88 30000 84 20000 10000 94 95 0 0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 70000 50000 86 40000 ASHLUM 83 30000 85 92 88 20000 90 9391 89 10000 95 84 0 94 0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 DALLERY 40000 85 83 86 20000 84 92 90 91 8993 88 0 9594 0 20000 40000 60000 50000 40000 GENESEE SEDS Sockeye Escapement 30000 85 83 84 20000 10000 93 88 949189 90 86 09295 0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 80000 WASHWASH 60000 86 40000 91 90 92 83 20000 88 85 9589 84 93 94 0 0 20000 40000 60000 80000 110000 85 88000 INZIANA 66000 44000 88 90 838486 91 93 22000 92 89 94 95 0 0 22000 44000 66000 88000 110000 Reconstructed Sockeye Escapement Figure 5. Relationship between SEDS and reconstructed escapement indices to clear water streams. 32 Area 10 100000 10000 Escapement (# of Sockeye) 1000 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Year Figure 6. Trend in sockeye salmon escapements to Smith Inlet (Area 10). Vertical line indicates start of Docee Fence counts. Lowess line fitted to data. 33 Koeye Namu 16000 14000 12000 10000 8000 6000 4000 1000 2000 100 Escapement (# of sockeye) Escapement (# of sockeye) 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Year Year Port John Kimsquit 60000 50000 40000 1000 30000 20000 10000 100 Escapement (# of sockeye) Escapement (# of sockeye) 10 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Year Year Atnarko 160000 120000 80000 40000 Escapement (# of sockeye) 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010 Year Figure 7. Trend in sockeye salmon escapements to lakes and rivers in Area 8. Lowess line fitted to data. 34 3000000 A B C 2000000 1000000 SOCKEYE CATCH 0 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 YEAR Figure 8. Trend in Area 9 commercial catch, 1948-2000. "A" indicates start of adaptive management plan (Walters et al. 1993), "B" indicates phase two of adaptive management plan, "C" indicates start of variable harvest rate plan (Goruk 1990). 35 800000 Area 10 (Smith Inlet) 700000 600000 500000 400000 300000 200000 100000 Commercial Catch (# of sockeye) 0 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Year Figure 9. Trend in Area 10 commercial sockeye salmon catch, 1951-2000. 36 400000 Area 8 300000 200000 100000 Commercial Catch (# of sockeye) 0 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Year Figure 10. Trend in Area 8 commercial sockeye salmon catch, 1960-2000. 37 1.0 Area 8 0.8 0.6 0.4 Harvest Rate 0.2 0.0 1950 1970 1990 2010 Year 1.0 Area 9 0.8 0.6 0.4 Harvest Rate 0.2 0.0 1950 1970 1990 2010 Year 1.0 Area 10 0.8 0.6 0.4 Harvest Rate 0.2 0.0 1950 1970 1990 2010 Year Figure 11. Trend in harvest rates of Area 8, 9, and 10 sockeye salmon. Horizontal line indicates start of Docee Fence counts. 38 400000 350000 Area 8 300000 250000 200000 150000 100000 Number of Sockeye 50000 1950 1970 1990 2010 Year 4000000 3500000 Area 9 3000000 2500000 2000000 1500000 1000000 500000 Number of Sockeye 1950 1970 1990 2010 Year 1000000 Area 10 800000 600000 400000 200000 Number of Sockeye 1950 1970 1990 2010 Year Figure 12. Trend in total stock size for Area 8, 9, and 10, sockeye salmon. Horizontal line indicates start of Docee Fence counts. 39 7 64 63 66 59 5 58 94 6160 97 62 95 65 3 67 Juvenile Index (ln catch) 96 98 1 0 1 2 3 Pre-smolt Weight (g) Figure 13. Juvenile abundance index (mean loge catch) in summer trawls versus mean sockeye pre-smolt weight (g) for the corresponding brood year (indicated next to data points). 40 8 6 4 2 Juvenile Abundance Index (ln catch) 0 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Brood Year Figure 14. Variation in juvenile abundance index by year. Average index indicated by horizontal line. Circles with error bars indicate index measured directly, circles only indicate index inferred from either pre-smolt size or scale patterns. 41 Owikeno Lake 10.0 1.0 Egg to Pre-smolt Survival (%) 0.1 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Brood Year Long Lake 10.0 1.0 Egg to Pre-smolt Survival (%) 0.1 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Brood Year Figure 15. Freshwater survival trends for Owikeno and Long Lake sockeye salmon. For Owikeno Lake (+) indicates juvenile abundance inferred from scales, (.) trawl and, (x) pre-smolt weight. 42 Owikeno Lake 100.00 10.00 1.00 Marine Survival (%) 0.10 0.01 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Brood Year Long Lake 100.00 10.00 1.00 Marine Survival (%) 0.10 0.01 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 Brood Year Figure 16. Marine survival trends for Owikeno and Long Lake sockeye salmon. For Owikeno Lake (+) indicates juvenile abundance inferred from scales, (.) trawl and, (x) pre-smolt weight. 43 Appendix 1a. Sockeye escapement 1950-1999, Area 10, from SEDS. SOCKEYE AVERAGE STREAM 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1990-99 AREA 10 BOSWELL CREEK N/O N/O N/I N/I N/O CANOE CREEK 44,700 78,000 66,000 66,000 30,000 17,100 16,200 9,600 22,800 1,770 35,217 DOCEE RIVER N/O N/O N/O N/O NEKITE RIVER 10 N/O N/O N/O N/O N/O 10 NEKITE SPAWNING CHANNEL 10 N/O N/O N/O N/O N/O 10 SMOKEHOUSE CREEK 104,300 182,000 154,000 154,000 70,000 39,900 37,800 22,400 53,200 4,130 82,173 TAKUSH RIVER N/O N/O N/O WALKUM CREEK N/I N/O N/O N/O N/O AREA 10 TOTAL** 149,020 260,000 220,000 220,000 100,000 57,000 54,000 32,000 76,000 5,900 117,392 **ANNUAL ESCAPEMENT TOTALS ARE FROM DOCEE RIVER FENCE COUNTS AND MINOR STREAM ESCAPEMENTS. 44 Appendix 1a. Cont'd AVERAGE STREAM 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1980-89 AREA 10 BOSWELL CREEK N/I N/O N/O CANOE CREEK 38,530 64,304 64,350 59,896 26,746 75,000 59,700 60,000 62,100 50,041 56,067 DOCEE RIVER NEKITE RIVER N/O N/O 2 5 4 NEKITE SPAWNING CHANNEL N/O SMOKEHOUSE CREEK 89,905 150,041 150,150 139,757 62,408 175,000 139,300 140,000 144,900 116,763 130,822 TAKUSH RIVER N/O WALKUM CREEK 1 1 1 AREA 10 TOTAL** 128,435 214,345 214,500 199,654 89,154 250,002 199,000 200,000 207,000 166,810 186,890 **ANNUAL ESCAPEMENT TOTALS ARE FROM DOCEE RIVER FENCE COUNTS AND MINOR STREAM ESCAPEMENTS. 45 Appendix 1a. Cont'd AVERAGE STREAM 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1970-79 AREA 10 BOSWELL CREEK CANOE CREEK 21,020 40,520 22,874 51,001 27,313 18,890 18,271 38,580 25,204 5,770 DOCEE RIVER NEKITE RIVER 1,000 1,000 NEKITE SPAWNING CHANNEL SMOKEHOUSE CREEK 49,045 94,548 53,374 119,001 63,730 44,077 42,633 90,021 58,811 13,462 TAKUSH RIVER WALKUM CREEK 25 25 AREA 10 TOTAL** 70,065 135,068 76,248 170,002 91,043 62,967 60,904 128,601 84,015 20,257 89,917 ** 1) 1970 AND 1971 ESCAPEMENT TOTALS ARE FROM DOCEE RIVER TOWER COUNTS. ** 2) 1972 TO 1979 ESCAPEMENT TOTALS ARE FROM DOCEE RIVER FENCE COUNTS AND MINOR STREAM ESCAPEMENTS. 46 Appendix 1a. Cont'd AVERAGE STREAM 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1960-69 AREA 10 BOSWELL CREEK CANOE CREEK 3,500 7,500 35,000 20,606 15,000 3,500 15,000 15,000 59,379 35,000 20,949 DOCEE RIVER 25 25 75 N/I 200 N/O N/O N/O N/I 200 105 NEKITE RIVER NEKITE SPAWNING CHANNEL SMOKEHOUSE CREEK 15,000 15,000 75,000 48,081 35,000 7,500 35,000 35,000 138,550 75,000 47,913 TAKUSH RIVER WALKUM CREEK AREA 10 TOTAL** 18,525 22,525 110,075 68,687 50,200 11,000 50,000 50,000 197,929 110,200 68,914 *1963 AND 1968 ESCAPEMENT TOTALS ARE FROM DOCEE RIVER TOWER COUNTS. 47 Appendix 1a. Cont'd AVERAGE STREAM 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1950-59 AREA 10 BOSWELL CREEK N/R N/R N/R CANOE CREEK 15,000 22,500 25,000 35,000 50,000 35,000 15,000 7,500 7,500 15,000 22,750 DOCEE RIVER N/R 75 75 75 75 NEKITE RIVER NEKITE SPAWNING CHANNEL SMOKEHOUSE CREEK 90,000 60,000 42,500 35,000 35,000 75,000 75,000 15,000 15,000 35,000 47,750 TAKUSH RIVER WALKUM CREEK AREA 10 TOTAL 105,000 82,500 67,500 70,000 85,000 110,000 90,000 22,575 22,575 50,075 70,523 48 Appendix 1b. Sockeye escapement 1950-1999, Area 9, from SEDS. AVERAGE STREAM 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1990-99 AREA 9 ALLARD CREEK AMBACK CREEK 30,000 17,000 60,000 30,000 10,000 5,000 4,350 15,000 4,500 100 17,595 ASHLULM CREEK 13,000 12,000 25,000 12,000 500 10,000 650 8,500 1,650 25 8,333 BEAVER CREEK 10 N/O 5 N/O N/O N/I UNK 10 UNK 8 CHUCKWALLA RIVER CLYAK, YOUNG & NEIL CREEKS DALLERY CREEK 10,000 10,000 15,000 8,000 2,000 1,000 250 4,400 450 130 5,123 DRANEY CREEK GENESEE CREEK 2,500 500 12,000 3,500 500 250 700 10 10 2,219 INZIANA RIVER 32,000 32,000 30,000 10,000 5,000 18,000 6,580 42,000 6,350 595 18,253 JOHNSTON CREEK N/I KILBELLA RIVER LOCKHART-GORDON CREEK MACHMELL RIVER 20,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 2,500 3,000 N/I UNK UNK 6,750 MACNAIR CREEK MILTON RIVER NEECHANZ RIVER 25,000 20,000 30,000 20,000 8,000 10,000 10,645 20,000 10,000 200 15,385 NICKNAQUEET RIVER OATSOALIS CREEK N/O OWIKENO LAKE SPAWNERS 5,000 3,000 2,500 4,000 2,000 500 100 UNK 550 100 1,972 SHEEMAHANT RIVER 300,000 100,000 50,000 80,000 20,000 10,000 16,000 83,000 14,000 970 67,397 TZEO RIVER 14,000 2,500 5,000 5,000 500 500 700 UNK 1,000 50 3,250 WANNOCK RIVER & FLATS 100,000 125,000 100,000 100,000 20,000 8,000 15,000 75,000 10,000 1,000 55,400 WASHWASH CREEK 35,000 25,000 20,000 25,000 15,000 7,000 7,475 27,500 3,500 420 16,590 OTHERS* N/O N/I N/O N/O N/I N/I N/I AREA 9 TOTAL 586,510 346,500 343,005 311,000 91,500 73,000 65,000 276,100 52,020 3,600 214,824 NOTE: TRADITIONAL STREAM TARGETS ABOLISHED IN 1989. OWIKENO LAKE SYSTEM TARGET SET DEPENDANT UPON NEW MANAGEMENT PLAN. *"OTHERS" INCLUDE HOGAN, NEWICHY AND TZEEISKAY STREAMS. 49 Appendix 1b. Cont'd AREA 9 SOCKEYE ESCAPEMENT TABLE: 1980-1989. AVERAGE STREAM 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1980-89 AREA 9 ALLARD CREEK N/O AMBACK CREEK 75,000 180,000 90,000 50,000 25,500 52,000 45,000 17,000 40,000 50,000 62,450 ASHLULM CREEK 5,000 25,000 15,000 35,000 7,000 28,700 47,500 32,000 25,000 12,000 23,220 BEAVER CREEK 75 1 N/O 185 125 N/O N/O 97 CHUCKWALLA RIVER 6N/O6 CLYAK YOUNG NEIL 2N/O2 DALLERY CREEK 25,000 40,000 60,000 37,500 22,000 37,000 30,000 21,500 5,000 2,500 28,050 DRANEY CREEK 11 N/O1 GENESEE CREEK 4,500 15,000 8,000 25,000 23,000 31,300 30,000 200 500 100 13,760 INZIANA RIVER 22,500 18,000 40,000 33,000 17,700 20,425 47,500 44,800 20,000 15,000 27,893 JOHNSTON CREEK 5N/O5 KILBELLA RIVER N/O LOCKHART-GORDON CR. 1 1 4 N/O 2 MACHMELL RIVER 17,500 20,000 80,000 37,000 5,000 10,000 5,000 1,500 30,000 5,000 21,100 MACNAIR CREEK N/O MILTON RIVER 2N/O2 NEECHANZ RIVER 32,500 40,000 50,000 50,000 11,000 35,800 53,000 37,000 53,000 18,000 38,030 NICKNAQUEET RIVER N/O OATSOALIS CREEK N/O OWIKENO LAKE SPWNS 25,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 1,100 20,000 2,500 2,500 5,000 6,075 9,718 SHEEMAHANT RIVER 61,000 200,000 150,000 125,000 25,000 135,000 325,000 100,000 200,000 125,000 144,600 TZEO RIVER 4,000 5,000 55,000 4,000 2,000 10,000 10,000 10,500 9,500 3,500 11,350 WANNOCK R & FL 27,500 150,000 150,000 200,000 45,000 20,000 200,000 200,000 80,000 125,000 119,750 WASHWASH CREEK 13,500 50,000 110,000 30,000 30,000 100,000 30,000 54,700 35,000 13,000 46,620 OTHERS AREA 9 TOTAL 313,000 753,075 823,000 636,502 214,301 500,430 825,626 521,700 503,000 375,175 546,581 NOTE: TRADITIONAL STREAM TARGETS ABOLISHED IN 1989. OWIKENO LAKE SYSTEM TARGET SET DEPENDANT UPON NEW MANAGEMENT PLAN. *"OTHERS" INCLUDE HOGAN, NEWICHY AND TZEEISKAY STREAMS. 50 Appendix 1b. Cont'd AREA 9 SOCKEYE ESCAPEMENT TABLE: 1970-1979. AVERAGE STREAM 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1970-79 AREA 9 ALLARD CREEK AMBACK CREEK 15,000 55,000 37,500 62,500 100,000 55,000 65,000 32,500 25,000 45,000 49,250 ASHLULM CREEK 750 1,300 1,500 27,500 9,000 4,500 4,000 3,000 22,500 8,000 8,205 BEAVER CREEK N/O N/O N/O N/O 25 N/O UNK UNK 25 CHUCKWALLA RIVER CLYAK, YOUNG & NEIL CREEKS DALLERY CREEK 15,000 20,000 9,000 22,500 22,500 45,000 12,000 18,000 15,000 15,000 19,400 DRANEY CREEK* 25 25 GENESEE CREEK 7,500 55,000 27,500 45,000 15,000 14,500 2,500 600 5,000 5,000 17,760 INZIANA RIVER 1,500 3,500 1,500 162,500 40,000 30,000 25,000 6,000 32,500 22,500 32,500 JOHNSTON CREEK 22 KILBELLA RIVER LOCKHART-GORDON CREEK MACHMELL RIVER N/O N/O 2,500 12,500 10,000 7,500 7,000 2,000 15,000 35,000 11,438 MACNAIR CREEK MILTON RIVER NEECHANZ RIVER 15,000 4,000 3,000 50,000 45,000 45,000 25,000 8,000 18,000 42,500 25,550 NICKNAQUEET RIVER N/I OATSOALIS CREEK N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R OWIKENO LAKE SPAWNERS N/R N/R 5,000 10,000 8,000 102,500 20,000 10,000 5,000 7,500 21,000 SHEEMAHANT RIVER** 7,500 6,000 30,000 250,000 137,500 35,000 20,000 27,500 150,000 65,000 72,850 TZEO RIVER 1,500 1,100 1,500 55,000 32,500 11,000 12,000 4,000 10,000 2,000 13,060 WANNOCK RIVER & FLATS 35,000 60,000 80,000 87,500 62,500 87,500 87,500 45,000 20,000 35,000 60,000 WASHWASH CREEK 3,500 10,000 22,500 200,000 75,000 42,500 20,000 35,000 65,000 15,000 48,850 AREA 9 TOTAL 102,250 215,900 221,500 985,000 557,025 480,002 300,000 191,600 383,000 297,525 373,380 * 1950-1977 ESCAPEMENT FOR DRANEY CREEK LISTED WITH LOCKHART-GORDON CREEK. **SHEEMAHANT FLATS LISTED WITH SHEEMAHANT RIVER FROM 1950-71, AND WITH OWIKENO LAKE SPAWNERS FROM 1972 ONWARDS. 51 Appendix 1b. Cont'd AREA 9 SOCKEYE ESCAPEMENT TABLE: 1960-1969. AVERAGE STREAM 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1960-69 AREA 9 ALLARD CREEK AMBACK CREEK 15,000 15,000 75,000 75,000 75,000 3,500 15,000 3,500 35,000 15,000 32,700 ASHLULM CREEK 400 3,500 3,500 20,000 3,500 75 1,500 750 35,000 750 6,898 BEAVER CREEK 750 3,500 400 75 N/O N/O N/O 1,181 CHUCKWALLA RIVER CLYAK, YOUNG & NEIL CREEKS DALLERY CREEK 35,000 35,000 27,500 125,000 100,000 15,000 15,000 3,500 15,000 7,500 37,850 DRANEY CREEK* GENESEE CREEK 3,500 3,500 35,000 55,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 35,000 15,000 21,333 INZIANA RIVER 3,500 7,500 35,000 175,000 75,000 15,000 7,500 1,500 100,000 1,500 42,150 JOHNSTON CREEK KILBELLA RIVER LOCKHART-GORDON CREEK MACHMELL RIVER UNK UNK UNK UNK UNK N/O UNK UNK UNK UNK MACNAIR CREEK MILTON RIVER NEECHANZ RIVER 7,500 7,500 15,000 35,000 15,000 7,500 15,000 7,500 35,000 3,500 14,850 NICKNAQUEET RIVER OATSOALIS CREEK N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R OWIKENO LAKE SPAWNERS N/O 200 1,500 1,500 15,000 N/O 3,500 15,000 35,000 3,500 9,400 SHEEMAHANT RIVER** UNK 35,400 42,500 82,500 110,000 15,000 50,000 135,000 75,000 75,000 68,933 TZEO RIVER 400 3,500 3,500 35,000 15,000 1,500 7,500 3,500 15,000 750 8,565 WANNOCK RIVER & FLATS UNK 35,000 100,000 200,000 75,000 75,000 35,000 125,000 75,000 100,000 91,111 WASHWASH CREEK 3,500 15,000 75,000 125,000 75,000 7,500 35,000 125,000 100,000 3,500 56,450 AREA 9 TOTAL 68,800 161,850 413,500 932,500 573,900 140,150 200,000 435,250 555,000 226,000 370,695 * 1950-1977 ESCAPEMENT FOR DRANEY CREEK LISTED WITH LOCKHART-GORDON CREEK. **SHEEMAHANT FLATS LISTED WITH SHEEMAHANT RIVER FROM 1950-71, AND WITH OWIKENO LAKE SPAWNERS FROM 1972 ONWARDS. 52 Appendix 1b. Cont'd AREA 9 SOCKEYE ESCAPEMENT TABLE: 1950-1959. AVERAGE STREAM 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1950-59 AREA 9 ALLARD CREEK AMBACK CREEK 76,000 37,500 75,000 35,000 7,500 7,500 15,000 35,000 35,000 75,000 39,850 ASHLULM CREEK 9,000 25,000 40,000 15,000 300 3,500 15,000 15,000 35,000 3,500 16,130 BEAVER CREEK CHUCKWALLA RIVER CLYAK, YOUNG & NEIL CREEKS DALLERY CREEK 67,500 45,000 100,000 75,000 65,000 100,000 75,000 35,000 15,000 100,000 67,750 DRANEY CREEK* GENESEE CREEK 10,500 4,500 15,000 15,000 1,000 3,500 3,500 400 3,500 3,500 6,040 INZIANA RIVER 37,500 35,000 50,000 75,000 25,000 3,500 15,000 7,500 7,500 75,000 33,100 JOHNSTON CREEK KILBELLA RIVER LOCKHART-GORDON CREEK MACHMELL RIVER N/R N/R N/R N/R N/I UNK UNK UNK UNK UNK MACNAIR CREEK MILTON RIVER NEECHANZ RIVER 11,000 15,000 45,000 7,500 2,000 3,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 7,500 11,400 NICKNAQUEET RIVER N/R OATSOALIS CREEK N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R OWIKENO LAKE SPAWNERS N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R N/R 75,000 3,500 39,250 SHEEMAHANT RIVER** 57,500 45,000 75,000 35,000 UNK UNK 35,000 35,000 UNK 7,500 41,429 TZEO RIVER 15,000 7,500 7,500 UNK 2,500 400 15,000 7,500 7,500 15,000 8,656 WANNOCK RIVER & FLATS 75,000 35,000 75,000 75,000 UNK 3,500 35,000 35,000 75,750 75,000 53,806 WASHWASH CREEK 97,500 55,000 100,000 100,000 500 7,500 7,500 35,000 75,000 15,000 49,300 AREA 9 TOTAL 456,500 304,500 582,500 432,500 103,800 132,900 223,500 212,900 336,750 380,500 316,635 * 1950-1977 ESCAPEMENT FOR DRANEY CREEK LISTED WITH LOCKHART-GORDON CREEK. **SHEEMAHANT FLATS LISTED WITH SHEEMAHANT RIVER FROM 1950-71, AND WITH OWIKENO LAKE SPAWNERS FROM 1972 ONWARDS. 53 Appendix 1c. Sub set of sockeye escapement data 1950-1999, from SEDS AVERAGE STREAM 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 1990-99 HOOK NOSE CREEK 20 150 10 155 N/I UNK UNK 84 KOEYE RIVER N/I 525 600 250 1,000 N/I 300 UNK UNK 1,200 646 NAMU RIVER 20 450 500 1,000 400 N/I 550 N/I N/I 2,000 703 KIMSQUIT RIVER 7,400 27,000 13,000 13,000 N/I 20,000 5,000 UNK 1,000 12,343 ATNARKO SPAWNING CHANNEL* 3 48 5 10 25 UNK N/I N/I 18 BELLA COOLA RIVER 20,000 52,500 41,000 15,000 25,000 55,000 45,000 20,000 30,000 25,000 32,850 Appendix 1c. Cont'd. AVERAGE STREAM 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1980-89 HOOK NOSE CREEK 1,000 75 500 300 750 250 285 10 300 60 353 KOEYE RIVER 2,500 5,000 2,000 N/I 2,300 1,700 2,900 2,500 2,500 1,200 2,511 NAMU RIVER N/O 1,500 2,000 1,500 4,000 1,800 1,450 160 1,700 750 1,651 KIMSQUIT RIVER 7,500 5,000 12,000 30,000 10,000 15,000 16,000 22,000 10,000 12,200 13,970 ATNARKO SPAWNING CHANNEL* 25 20 100 10 39 BELLA COOLA RIVER 24,000 40,000 20,000 25,000 45,000 50,000 19,975 30,780 30,000 15,000 29,976 Appendix 1c. Cont'd. AVERAGE STREAM 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1970-79 HOOK NOSE CREEK N/O N/O N/O 750 300 400 250 750 300 400 450 KOEYE RIVER 1,500 3,500 3,500 3,000 2,500 3,500 9,000 3,500 300 14,000 4,430 NAMU RIVER N/I 8,000 N/I N/O N/O N/I 600 N/I 350 3,500 3,113 KIMSQUIT RIVER 3,500 55,000 13,500 3,500 5,000 35,000 25,000 10,000 12,000 8,000 17,050 ATNARKO SPAWNING CHANNEL* BELLA COOLA RIVER 25,000 100,000 32,500 85,000 55,000 45,000 30,000 30,000 20,000 18,000 44,050 54 Appendix 1c. Cont'd. AVERAGE STREAM 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1960-69 HOOK NOSE CREEK 268 126 N/O N/O 750 N/O 25 650 N/O N/O 364 KOEYE RIVER 1,500 750 N/O N/O 750 750 750 1,500 750 750 938 NAMU RIVER 3,500 3,500 1,500 1,500 750 1,500 1,500 1,500 750 1,500 1,750 KIMSQUIT RIVER 7,500 N/O 3,500 N/O N/O N/O UNK 15,000 3,500 3,500 6,600 ATNARKO SPAWNING CHANNEL* BELLA COOLA RIVER 35,000 35,000 75,000 55,000 31,000 13,000 16,000 36,000 8,000 40,000 34,400 Appendix 1c. Cont'd. AVERAGE STREAM 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1950-59 HOOK NOSE CREEK 717 1,300 1,087 1,500 750 2,566 1,332 1,353 1,248 1,000 1,285 KOEYE RIVER 3,500 1,200 1,500 2,000 1,500 2,000 3,500 7,500 750 3,500 2,695 NAMU RIVER 3,500 2,500 2,000 1,500 4,500 1,000 3,500 750 1,500 7,500 2,825 KIMSQUIT RIVER 7,500 7,000 10,300 7,500 12,000 5,000 7,500 7,500 UNK 3,500 7,533 ATNARKO SPAWNING CHANNEL* BELLA COOLA RIVER 75,000 75,000 90,000 65,000 53,000 75,000 75,000 150,000 15,000 75,000 74,800 55 Appendix 2. Trawl catch of Owikeno Lake juvenile sockeye by depth and year. Proportion sockeye caught at Year Surface 2-4m 5-7m 6-8m 10-12m 2000 0.982 . 0.018 . . 1999 0.692 . 0.166 . 0.142 1998 0.990 0.010 . . . 56 Appendix 3. Annual coho salmon counts past the Docee Fence, 1998-2000. Proportion Year Escapement Age 1.1 Age 2.1 1998 6,500 0.60 0.40 1999 4,600 0.93 0.07 2000 9,700 0.76 0.24 57